Communications expert Leone dies at age 73

He was best known for his efforts on behalf of the gaming industry, which included his work at Caesars World Inc. in the 1980s and 1990s.

But at the end of his career, Leone earned accolades for the seven years he spent with Nevada Power and parent company Sierra Pacific Resources, helping the business transform into NV Energy.

Leone, who died Wednesday at age 73 at Nathan Adelson Hospice after a more than five-year battle with cancer, was admired by corporate executives as well as public relations and corporate communications leaders who saw him as a mentor and a resource.

“Jack was valuable to NV Energy and to me personally during what was a very difficult period for our company,” said NV Energy President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Yackira.

Retired gaming executive Terry Lanni said he never heard anyone utter a bad word about Leone in the 30 years he knew him. Lanni, who retired in 2008 as chairman of MGM Mirage Corp., was president of Caesars World when Leone headed communications for the company.

“When Jack told you something, his word was his bond,” Lanni said. “Jack was an amazing person with a tremendous attitude. He was the eternal optimist up to the end.”

Former Clark County Manager and retired Nevada Power President Pat Shalmy knew Leone for nine years and grew to respect his advice.

“Jack was a principled guy who worked hard and was truthful, honest and fair,” Shalmy said.

Leone spent 16 years affiliated with the casino industry. After leaving Caesars World, he held senior public relations and communications positions with the MGM Grand Hotel and Mandalay Bay.

He left the gaming industry in 1999 and spent two years with Sitrick and Co., a public relations firm based in Los Angeles.

Leone returned to Las Vegas as vice president of marketing at Caesars Palace for two years. He joined Sierra Pacific/Nevada Power as vice president of marketing and communications in 2002 before retiring in July 2009.

Leone had an extensive background in industries other than gaming, including positions at Getty Oil Co. in Los Angeles, Fairchild Camera and Instrument Corp. in Mountain View, Calif., and IBM in White Plains, N.Y.

Before entering public relations, Leone spent six years as a writer and editor for various newspapers, including Newsday in New York.

Leone met his diagnosis with cancer head on. He appeared in advertisements and online testimonials for the Nevada Cancer Institute.

“Ask anybody that knew him, honesty and integrity would undoubtedly be words used to describe him,” said Bill Doak, a partner in Kirvin Doak Communications, who worked with Leone at both MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay.

Doak, who spent time with Leone recently, told friends in an e-mail Wednesday that Leone was most grateful for his many friends and family.

“The last thing he said to me on Sunday was that over the last couple of weeks memories of his life had been vividly coming back to him, and while he had ups and downs, they were mostly ups,” Doak said.

MGM Resorts International Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Alan Feldman said, “Jack seemed to find the way to perfectly blend the important things in life. He had the total esteem of his colleagues, and he loved and was deeply loved by his family.”

Leone, who is survived by his wife of 47 years, Angela, son Mark and daughter Danielle, will be remembered at an informal gathering of family and friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 11 at Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave.

The family is asking that flowers not be sent and they are deciding on a memorial to honor Leone’s memory.